ANT-BEAK 
421 
ANT-BEAR OR AARD VARK 
By V. G. L. VAN Someren 
An extraordinary amount of interest has centred around 
the Aard Yark or Ant-bear ( Orycteropus afer) during the last 
six months, owing to the fact that an unusually large number 
of specimens have been seen in broad daylight and quite a 
number shot. In one district alone, Uasin Gishu, about 
twenty specimens have been procured. 
The Dutch residents state that the Aard Varks do not 
appear in daylight unless there is a drought on which is likely 
to last some time. 
The natives of the Elgoyu district also hold the same 
view, and certainly the present drought and consequent famine, 
coupled with the abnormal number of Ant-bears seen, appear 
to corroborate this. 
These animals are quite distinct from the Ant-bears of 
South America. 
The African Aard Yark possesses teeth of a peculiar form, 
not found in any other animal. There are no teeth in front, 
but in adult specimens there are five teeth on each side of the 
mandible and maxilla. A cross-section of a tooth exhibits 
the presence of numerous tubes of polygonal shape. 
The Aard Yark is widely distributed in East Africa. 
ANT-BEAR 
By Captain R. 0. Crewe-Read 
The Ant-bear of which we give an illustration, was dug 
out near Naivasha Railway Station by some natives, and 
brought up in a bath tub to the boma , where the photo- 
graph was taken. It must have weighed at least 120 lb., as 
it took four boys to lift it. It measured 62 in. from tip 
to tip, and stood about 24 in. at the shoulder. After the 
photograph was taken it was released, and promptly proceeded 
to burrow through the loose stone wall of the boma , and in a 
